JP2010131370A - Liquid distribution device including sealing element movable under effect of pressure from user - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for firmly sealing a discharge nozzle of the device when the device is not used, especially in transportation or storage. <P>SOLUTION: This liquid distribution device includes a nozzle 10 suitable for a container 12 storing discharged liquid and formed of plastic, glass or metal. The device includes a sealing member 14 movably formed between a liquid shut-off position and a liquid release position. The device further includes a fixing means 60 which prevents the sealing member 14 from moving to the liquid release position by fixing the sealing member 14 at the liquid shut-off position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to ejection of liquid, and more particularly to ejection of liquid dropped like an eye drop.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device that discharges liquid, particularly liquid dropped like an eye drop is known. According to the example described in Patent Document 1, the opening that discharges the liquid is hermetically sealed with a cap that includes a needle inserted into a nozzle head that discharges the liquid and a skirt-shaped cover that covers the nozzle. Has been. This type of cap prevents liquid from leaking from the device when the device is not in use.

French Patent No. 2872137

  The present invention aims to tightly seal the discharge nozzle of the apparatus when it is not in use, especially during transport and storage.

  The present invention prevents the sealing member from moving to the liquid release position by fixing the sealing member movable between the liquid release position and the liquid blocking position, and fixing the sealing member at the blocking position. And a liquid ejecting apparatus including the member.

  Therefore, when the device includes the sealing member as in the present invention, the device is tightly sealed. A member that performs sealing as described above may be referred to as a “sealing valve”. Normally, the sealing member includes an elastomer or a thermoplastic resin having sufficient flexibility, and is configured such that, for example, when the user applies pressure to the container, the liquid flows only in one direction. The sealing member can be switched from the liquid release position to the liquid blocking position or the backflow prevention position by moving the sealing member and / or by elastically deforming all or part of the sealing member.

  By fixing the sealing member at the liquid blocking position, the sealing member can be used, for example, in a child during storage or movement that is likely to move to the liquid release position, or during other handling operations prior to use of the device. Can prevent accidental movement to the liquid release position. Therefore, it may be useful to temporarily fix the sealing member, for example using a temporary fixing means that is removable or fusible, for an apparatus with a movable sealing member. The fusible member is destroyed when the device is first used.

  The device not only prevents liquid leakage, but is also a “cleaner”. If the sealing member is not fixed during storage, the liquid may accidentally flow between the sealing member and the cap of the device, and may stagnate accordingly. If the liquid stagnates outside the sealed area (particularly the area surrounded by the container and the sealing member), the liquid becomes dirty, which is dangerous.

  The device according to the present invention has one or more features as described below.

  The fixing means pressurizes the sealing member so as to prevent the sealing member from moving to the liquid release position. This pressure may be direct or indirect.

  In particular, the device comprises an outer shell covering the sealing member. The cover has a liquid release hole, and the sealing member has a terminal portion protruding from the liquid release hole. That is, since the end portion of the sealing member is not recessed from the surface of the liquid release hole, the dropped liquid droplet can be easily separated from the surface of the cover.

  The apparatus further comprises pressing means for pressing the sealing member in a direction opposite to the pressure exerted by the fixing means, for example arranged on the inner core of the nozzle. Therefore, when the fixing means acts on the device, the pressure in the opposite direction can prevent the sealing member from operating in the discharge device. In other words, the sealing member is clamped between the fixing means and the pressing means so as not to move.

  The apparatus includes a removable cap, and the fixing means acts when the cap is attached to the apparatus. That is, when the cap is attached to the device, the sealing member is fixed. The cap can be easily attached to the device when there is a risk of accidental leakage of the liquid, especially during transportation or storage before the device is commercialized or placed in the home. Fixing is easy.

  The fixing means is provided on the cap.

  A pressing surface for pressing the sealing member is formed on the fixing means provided on the cap. As an example, the pressing surface is formed in a protruding portion that protrudes from the inner surface of the cap so as to press the sealing member. This protrusion can take various shapes. The projecting portion is formed on the inner surface of the cap, has an annular rib partitioned into a fan shape by a space, or enters the liquid flow path formed in the nozzle to press the sealing member. I have a pin. As another example, the pressing surface does not protrude and is formed on the inner surface of the cap. As yet another example, the pressing surface coincides with the bottom surface of the recess provided on the inner surface of the cap. The pressing surface is arranged opposite to or shifted from the pressing means formed on the inner core, and applies a force to the pressing means. Therefore, the device is sealed by the compression member and / or deformation of the sealing member.

  The said apparatus is equipped with the ventilation means for making air flow in in a container. This venting of the container, also referred to as air ingress into the container, compensates for the pressure in the container that is reduced by the user pressing the container to supply liquid. Therefore, the container returns to its original shape after discharging the liquid.

  In addition to the fixing means for fixing the sealing member, the cap has an airtight sealing means for preventing air from leaking through the ventilation means when the cap is attached to the apparatus. Yes. This embodiment is highly preferred. As a result, evaporation of the liquid inside the apparatus during storage and contamination of the liquid by substances present in the air can be prevented.

  The hermetic sealing means has an annular rib that protrudes inward from the wall portion of the cap and is fixed to the wall portion in order to ensure hermetic sealing.

  The apparatus includes an outer shell having a liquid release hole and covering at least a part of the sealing member. The pressing surface of the fixing means is provided so as to face the liquid release hole or to enter the inside of the liquid release hole when the cap is attached to the device.

  The outer shell has a hollow protrusion that surrounds the end of the sealing member. The end of the sealing member is reliably guided by the hollow protrusion. In particular, the hollow projecting portion can prevent the shaft of the sealing member from being tilted or shifted while the sealing member is moving to the liquid release position or the liquid blocking position.

  The hollow protrusion is formed by an annular rib extending to the liquid release hole. The annular rib surrounds the end of the sealing member so as to reliably guide the sealing member.

  The outer shell has a seat portion that is disposed around the hollow projecting portion and supports a biasing member that holds the sealing member at the blocking position.

  The sealing member is configured to move to a liquid release position by a pressure generated by a user operation, while the fixing means moves the sealing member to a liquid release position by a pressure generated by a user operation. Is preventing.

  The invention will be better understood from the following description with reference to examples and figures given by way of illustration only.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram functionally illustrating one embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an example of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modification of the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing another modification of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 and showing a state in which a cap is attached.

  The liquid discharge apparatus includes a nozzle 10 that contains a liquid to be discharged and is attached to a container formed of plastic, glass, or metal. A portion of this nozzle 10 is schematically represented in FIG. This device is used to eject a predetermined amount of liquid, more specifically a predetermined amount of droplets or spray. This liquid is intended for use on the eyes, nose, mouth and the like. For example, the device discharges eye drops so as to be dropped onto the eyes. The nozzle 10 is attached to the container 12, more specifically to the neck 12 of the container. In this embodiment, the container 12 is made of plastic and is configured to be pressed by a user for discharging liquid. Other types of containers are also conceivable, for example containers in which the user does not pressurize the container as described above but discharges liquid by actuating a pump drive.

  The nozzle 10 includes a sealing member 14 provided between the first member 16 and the second member 18 of the nozzle 10. This sealing member 14, also called a sealing valve, takes a liquid blocking position or a backflow preventing position as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 in order to prevent the liquid from flowing back once the liquid remains in the sealing region. While being able to assume a liquid release position (not shown). The sealing member 14 is preferably disposed in the vicinity of the end portion of the nozzle 10, that is, in the vicinity of the liquid release hole (see FIG. 3). More specifically, in the above-described embodiment, the end portion of the member 14 from which the liquid flows out projects slightly from the release hole 64. As a modification, the end portion of the member 14 may be flush with the release hole 64 or may be recessed from the release hole 64. Further, the end portion of the member 14 may be protruded from the surface of the cover 18 so that the droplets can be easily separated from the surface of the cover.

  Further, the nozzle 10 is covered with a sealing cap 11 that can be attached to and detached from the device so as to protect the device when the device is not in use. For example, the cap 11 is screwed to the neck of the container 12.

  The cap 11 is provided with a fixing portion 60 (fixing means) for fixing the sealing member 14 at the blocking position. The fixing portion 60 is configured to prevent the sealing member 14 from moving to the liquid release position even when pressure is applied to the container 12 in particular. The fixing part 60 fulfills its function when the cap 11 is attached to the device. In this example, the fixing portion is a pressing surface provided on a protruding portion 60 designed to press the sealing member 14, more specifically, a liquid release hole 64 of the nozzle 10 on the inner surface 61 of the cap 11. It has the press surface provided in the cyclic | annular rib 60 provided so that it may oppose.

  The configuration of the nozzle 10 according to a particular embodiment is shown in more detail in FIGS. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is a slight modification of the embodiment shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the sealing member 14 is composed of an elastomer part 34 and a hard part 36 and is held in the blocking position by the biasing member 15, while in FIG. 3, the member 14 is entirely made of an elastomer material, It is held in the liquid blocking position by deformation as described below.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first member 16 of the nozzle 10 corresponds to the inner core 16 provided with a substantially cylindrical protruding portion 19 protruding from the end portion thereof. A pressing portion 20 (pressing means) for pressing the sealing member 14 is formed at the end of the protruding portion 19. In this embodiment, the pressing portion 20 is provided with a protruding portion that forms an annular flange designed to press the sealing member 14. On the other hand, the pressing portion 20 may be composed only of the end portion of the protruding portion 19 in which the annular flange-shaped protruding portion as described above is not formed. Furthermore, the inner core 16 includes a flow path 22 for connecting a part of the core 16 and the container and for allowing liquid to flow from the container to the outside of the apparatus. Further, the nozzle 10 is provided with a ventilation part (venting means) for allowing air to flow into the container in order to compensate for the reduced pressure caused by the pressure applied by the user to cause the liquid to flow out. In this embodiment, the vent is provided in the inner core 16 and the air flow path intersects with a hydrophobic filter 26 designed to filter out air while blocking the inflow of liquid. 24. More specifically, in this embodiment, the filter 26 is fitted into a filter housing 28 having an annular rib formed in the central portion of the inner surface of the core 16.

  In this embodiment, the second member 18 of the nozzle 10 corresponds to the outer cover 18 (outer shell) of the nozzle 10. The outer cover 18 is designed to cover the inner core 16, the sealing member 14, and the spring 15. More specifically, the outer cover 18 includes a hollow projecting portion 30 formed by an annular rib that opens on the release hole 64 so as to surround the end portion of the projecting portion 19. The sealing member 14 causes the liquid to flow out of the device. The cover 18 further includes a seat portion 32 that supports the biasing member 15 at the peripheral edge portion of the protruding portion 30.

  In this embodiment, the sealing member 14 includes an elastomer part 34 and a hard part 36. The elastomer portion 34 and the hard material 36 are fixed to each other, and when one position is shifted, the other position is also shifted. The same applies to the reverse case. In this embodiment, the elastomer portion 34 and the hard portion 36 are integrated by overmolding, but may be integrated by other methods. The elastomer portion 34 is formed of an elastomer material such as silicon or an elastomer thermoplastic material. The hard portion 36 is made of a plastic material such as polypropylene. The hard portion 36 has a support surface 38 that supports the biasing member 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the hard portion 36 covers almost the entire surface of the elastomer portion 34. On the other hand, the region 40 of the elastomer part 34 is in a state in which it can be displaced at the end of the elastomer part 34 because the elastomer part 34 can be expanded and contracted. More specifically, each of the elastomer part 34 and the hard part 36 has a bottomed cylindrical part at the center and has a shape complementary to the shape of the inner core 16, and is an end of the bottomed cylindrical part. Is spreading outward. Thus, the hard part 36 covers most of the surface of the elastomer part 34 except for the peripheral part 40 of the elastomer part 34. As shown in FIG. 2, the elastomer part 34 and the hard part 36 are provided with a flow path 42 that is provided on the bottom surface of the bottomed cylindrical part at the center of the elastomer part 34 and the hard part 36 and allows the liquid to flow out. ing. Further, the hard portion 36 is formed with a portion 44 for forming droplets. More specifically, this portion 44 is formed in a conical shape that extends from the flow path 42 to the end of the device so as to prevent liquid from being ejected vigorously and form a droplet. Yes. The portion 44 is formed so as to guide the droplet to the cylindrical portion 46 and discharge an appropriate amount of droplet.

  In this embodiment, the biasing member 15 is a spiral metal spring. The spring 15 applies pressure to the sealing member 14 by pressing the support surface 38 of the hard portion 36 in order to return the sealing member 14 to the liquid blocking position.

  As shown in FIG. 2, since the sealing member 14 is sealed (static sealing) between the two members 16, 18, the liquid flowing through the flow path 22 enters the inside of the cover 18. There is no leakage.

  The operation of the ejection device shown in FIG. 2 will be described below.

  When the cap 11 is fixed to the apparatus, the fixing portion 60 acts on the sealing member 14, so that the sealing member 14 is fixed. More specifically, the pressing part 20 applies a pressure against the pressure applied by the fixing part 60 to the sealing member 14. As a result, the sealing member 14 is pressed toward the core 16, thereby sealing the device.

  When using the device, first, the cap 11 is removed so that the pressure of the fixing portion 60 is not applied to the sealing member 14. Thereby, the sealing member 14 can move between two positions. In order to discharge the liquid, the user presses the container of the apparatus so that the liquid flows through the flow path 22 and applies pressure to the elastomer portion 34. With this pressure, the sealing member 14 moves upward as indicated by an arrow 48 and moves from the liquid blocking position to the liquid releasing position. More specifically, the region 40 of the elastomer portion 34 is deformed by extending so that the elastomer portion 34 is displaced upward. After the displacement as described above, the sealed state that the pressing portion 20 has been working in cooperation with the sealing member 14 is released, and the liquid is allowed to form portions 44 and 46 via the flow path 42 in order to form droplets. Flows up. This liquid flow is indicated by arrows 50. Once the droplet has been ejected, the user need not press the container filled with air through the flow path 24. Since pressurization for discharging the liquid stops, the sealing member 14 returns to the liquid blocking position by the urging force of the spring 15. Thus, the pressing portion 20 and the elastomer portion of the member 14 cooperate to prevent the liquid from flowing out.

  By returning the cap of the nozzle to the original position, the sealing member 14 is fixed again at the liquid blocking position, and it is possible to prevent the liquid from leaking from the sealed region to the outside and becoming dirty.

  In particular, as an advantage of the liquid ejection device of this embodiment, the hard portion 36 forms a shell-like cover for the elastomer portion 34, and the hard member 36 can be easily pressed without deformation. What can be done.

  Variations of the above embodiment are possible. In particular, the urging member 15 is a spiral spring, but may be a metal or another type such as a piece of rubber or an elastomer part. In particular, the urging member 15 may be integrated directly with the elastomer part 34 or the hard part 36 of the sealing member 14 or may be integrated directly with the cover 18.

  In the modification shown in FIG. 3, the sealing member 14 is entirely made of an elastomer material, and the nozzle does not have a spring. In this embodiment, the member 14 is attached in a deformed state on a liquid sealing device. The member 14 has a cylindrical portion 65 and an end portion 66. The peripheral edge 68 of the end 66 is sandwiched between the member 16 and the member 18 for static sealing. The member 14 is attached by deforming the member 14. The member 14 is mounted on the projecting portion 19 in a state where the member 14 is deformed so that pressure is applied to the projecting portion 19, more specifically, the pressing portion 20. The shape of the member 14 shown in FIG. 3 is different from the shape of the member 14 before being assembled. By pressing the member 14 against the pressing portion 20, the device is reliably sealed at the blocking position.

  The operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is the same as that of the apparatus shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, most of the components are the same as those shown in FIGS. The nozzle 10 is fixed to the neck of the container 12 by screwing it to the connecting portion of the neck member 16. The connecting portion is provided with an outer wall 80 screwed to the neck. As in the case of FIGS. 1 to 3, the member 16 also includes a ventilation portion 82 for allowing air to flow into the container in order to compensate for the reduced pressure caused by the pressure applied by the user to cause the liquid to flow out. . The ventilation portion 82 is formed in the inner core 16 and includes the air flow path 24, the hydrophobic filter 26, and the filter housing 28. The sealing member 14 is formed of an elastomer material, but may include a hard portion. Further, in FIG. 4, the sealing member 14 protrudes from the liquid release hole 64 as compared with the sealing member 14 in FIGS. 1 to 3. The end portion 19 of the core portion 16 is substantially flush with the opening surface of the release hole 64 formed on the upper surface of the outer cover 18. Thereby, the droplet is more easily separated from the upper surface of the outer cover 18.

  FIG. 4 shows the cap 11. In this embodiment, the fixing portion 60 for fixing the sealing member 14 is provided with a protruding portion having a conical shape with a sharp tip. More specifically, it has a shape complementary to the portion 44 for forming a droplet. Therefore, when the cap 11 is fixed to the device, the end portion of the sealing member 14 can be more strongly fixed by tightening. The cap 11 further includes a peripheral wall 84 for fixing the cap to the device. The peripheral wall 84 is fixed to the member 16 by screwing. The fixing may be screwing or fixing by a claw portion. The peripheral wall 84 is formed with a portion 86 for hermetically sealing the device so as to prevent air from flowing through the vent when the cap is attached to the device. . According to this embodiment, the portion 86 is an annular rib that protrudes from the inner surface of the cap wall 84 and fits snugly against the wall 88 of the member 16 to ensure a hermetic seal. Since the inner diameter of the rib 86 is smaller than the outer diameter of the wall portion 88, the air flows between the rib 86 and the wall portion 88 when the cap is screwed to the device. So that it is closely attached to the wall 88. The rib 86 and the wall 88 are disposed between the end of the cap wall 84 and the vent 82 to define an airtight sealed area.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. In particular, like the fixing method, the shape of the sealing member 14 may be different. As an advantage of the device, the cap 11 for fixing the sealing member 14 is, for example, in an unsealed region such as between the sealing member 14 and the cover 18 or between the sealing member 14 and the nozzle 10. It can be seen that the liquid is prevented from flowing in.

Claims (10)

A sealing member (14) movable between a liquid release position and a liquid blocking position;
A liquid release hole (64) is formed, in particular an outer shell (18) covering the sealing member (14);
A detachable cap (11) and fixing means (60) for preventing the sealing member (14) from moving to the liquid release position by fixing the sealing member (14) at the liquid blocking position,
The sealing member (14) has a distal end protruding from the liquid release hole (64),
The fixing means (60) is provided on the cap (11), and is configured to press the sealing member (14) when the cap (11) is attached to the apparatus. A liquid ejection apparatus characterized by the above. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1,
A liquid ejecting apparatus, further comprising a ventilation means for allowing air to flow into the container (12). The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
In addition to the fixing means (60) for fixing the sealing member (14), the cap (11) allows air to leak through the ventilation means when the cap (11) is attached to the apparatus. A liquid discharge apparatus comprising an airtight sealing means (86) for hermetically sealing the apparatus. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
The hermetic sealing means (86) has an annular rib that protrudes inward from the wall (84) of the cap (11) and is fixed to the wall to ensure a hermetic seal. A liquid discharge apparatus characterized by that. In the liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
It further comprises pressing means (20) for pressing the sealing member (14) that exerts pressure on the sealing member (14) in a direction opposite to the pressure exerted by the fixing means (60). Liquid ejecting device. In the liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The fixing means includes a pressing surface (60) for pressing the sealing member (14), for example, an annular rib formed on the inner surface (61) of the cap (11). A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising a pressing surface (60) provided on a projecting portion designed to press. The liquid ejection device according to claim 5 or 6,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressing surface (60) of the fixing means is arranged opposite to or shifted from the pressing means (20). In the liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer shell (18) has a hollow projecting portion (30) surrounding a terminal portion of the sealing member (14). The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hollow protrusion (30) is formed by an annular rib extending to the liquid release hole (64). The liquid ejection device according to claim 8 or 9,
The outer shell (18) has a seat (32) that is disposed around the hollow protrusion (30) and supports a biasing member (15) that holds the sealing member (14) in the blocking position. A liquid discharge apparatus characterized by comprising: